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JOHN AT THE AGE OF FOUR. 









HOW JOHN 

BECAME A MAN, 

Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 


By ISABEL C. BYRUM 

Author of 

Beautiful Stories from the Good Old Book 
Favorite Stories from the New Testament 
Our Darlings’ ABC Book, Etc. 





Published by 

Gospel Trumpet Company 
Anderson, Indiana 
1909 










D 


Copyright 1909 y 
By Gospel Trumpet Companyy 
AndersoUy Indiana. 


©CI.A252785 



Preface. 


In presenting this little volume, the author 
hopes that it may be useful in suggesting to the 
minds of young boys the great wrong there is 
in indulging in evil habits. 

We read, “My people are destroyed for lack 
of knowledge,” and this is true with most boys 
who form habits that are harmful both to body 
and soul. 

The story of John’s life is a true one and his 
earnest prayer that it may be the means of 
keeping some boys from Satan’s snares and 
prove a blessing to them, 1 trust will be an- 
swered. 

Isabel C. Bybum. 

Anderson, Ind., Oct. 8, 1909. 



HOW JOHN BECAME A MAN. 


Life Story of a 
Motherless Boy. 

UT upon the prairies in one of the 
western states lived a little boy by the 
name of John. He was a dear little 
fellow with large brown eyes. Every 
one thought much of him. 

Nearly all of the houses around were built 
of sod and mud, but John’s home was a two- 
story frame house. 

Being their only child his parents thought 
much of his future and were making great 
plans for their baby boy, for he had just passed 
his third birthday. 

A few days after John’s birthday something 
sad happened. His dear mother became very 
ill. For three days she suffered intensely and 
then passed away into eternity. 

John’s poor father was nearly broken- 
hearted. He had made so many plans for the 
7 



8 


How John Became a Ma/n. 


comfort and happiness of his little family, but 
now Death had come and broken their circle. 

John could not realize what it all meant. It 
seemed so strange not to have Mama call him 
and caress him tenderly and put him to bed. 
Papa cried so much, too, and often said, “John, 
now you will have to be Papa’s little man.” 
And he said, “Mama is gone and we are to be 
alone all of the time. Now you must learn to 
pray.” John did not know what it meant to 
pray and knew nothing about God, so his father 
explained that God was in heaven and that he 
wanted people to bow down upon their knees 
to him and pray. 

And his father knelt down with his boy and 
tried to teach him to pray. But he was not a 
praying man and the only words he could re- 
member were the words he had learned at his 
own mother’s knee— 

“Now I lay me down to sleep, 

1 pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep. 

And if I should die before I wake, 

I pray thee. Lord, my soul to take.'' 

John was deeply impressed by his father’s 
words and never forgot them, but it was the 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. § 

first and last time that he ever saw his father 
pray. 

He often thought about his dear mama and 
wished that she could come back again, but he 
would also think about his father’s words that 
he must be a little man now, and he tried very 
hard to be one. 

His uncle did not live very far away and, it 
being harvest time, John was often sent to his 
uncle’s to play with his cousins. Will and 
Charley. 

Will was six years old and Charley only two. 
But Charley was a little cripple boy. 

The three boys enjoyed being together so 
much that it was at last decided that John could 
go and live with his uncle. It was sad that this 
ever happened, for his cousin Will was a very 
bad boy and often taught the younger boys 
things that they should not have known. 

John’s uncle owned a great many cattle and 
it was the boys’ work to herd them out upon 
the prairie. This of course did not keep the 
boys very busy. They only had to see that the 
cattle were kept out of the neighboring corn- 


10 


How John Became a Mam.. 


fields and wheat-fields, were driven to ponds 
for water, and brought home in the evening. 
The rest of the time they could play. 

There is an old saying that ‘ ‘ Satan finds mis- 
chief for idle hands to do,” and he certainly 
found many things for these three hoys. 

The ponds where the cattle were watered 
were called “butfalo wallows.” Some of these 
were quite deep and it rained just often enough 
to keep them supplied with water. 

One day Will said, ‘ ‘ Say, boys, I heard some 
one say that Jesus walked upon the water when 
he was here on earth and I’m going to walk on 
it, too; now see me.” 

Will did not realize that he was doing wrong 
by speaking of J esus in this way and in making 
sport of his acts. Had he been sent to Sunday- 
school he would have learned that he must look 
upon the works and words of Jesus in a sacred 
way. 

The water was quite shallow for some dis- 
tance, and then it went down very suddenly and 
was quite deep. Will knew this and he* only 
walked around in the shallow water. The 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 11 

younger boys fully believed that he was walk- 
ing upon the water. 

John was by this time nearly five years old. 
One day he and Charley were watching the 
cows alone. . When they came to the pond 
Charley said, “Now, John, I believe that we can 
walk on the water just as easily as Will did the 
other day and I am going to try. ’ ’ With this he 
ran right out into the pond. When he came to 
the deep place he went down at once and John 
knew that his cousin was in great danger. So 
he ran out to him. 

It must have been God that protected the 
boys, for neither of them knew about the deep 
place. When John came to the edge of the hole 
he reached out and caught his cousin by the 
hair, then dragged him out of the water and 
saved his life. 



Evil Influences. 


Soon after this Will took the hoys out to the 
cellar. This cellar was a hole dug in the ground, 
with mud steps leading down to it. Logs were 
laid across the top with brush and sod placed 
upon them for a roof. The cellar was made to 
keep the winter vegetables in, and it was also a 
protection in time of a cyclone. The family 
could run down into it and stay until the storm 
was over. 

Will knew that tobacco was kept in the cellar, 
and, though he was just a young boy, he liked 
to chew and smoke it. Now he thought if John 
and Charley would only get to liking tobacco 
too it would be so nice. 

So he said, “Look here, John, you said you 
wanted to he a man. Now here’s your chance. 
If you get so that you can smoke tobacco and 
chew and spit tobacco juice like your father 
you will be a man.” 

Then Will found an old clay pipo, and when 
13 


14 


How John Became a Man. 


it was filled with tobacco leaves and lighted 
John began to smoke. 

He had not smoked very long until he began 
to feel very sick and dizzy. He wanted to get 
up out of the cellar, hut where were the steps? 

Will had to help him find the steps, but he 
explained that it always affected everybody like 
that the first few times. But that feeling would 
pass away and he would soon be able to smoke 
without feeling sick at all. 

He was unable to eat any dinner, but he kept 
repeating to himself, “It won’t be long I’ll 
have to suffer and I will soon he a man.” 

How sad it was that John was so young and 
that he had no one to teach him the great 
wrong he was doing to his little body. 

Had he known that the sick feeling was pro- 
duced by a strong poison contained in the to- 
bacco he might have been frightened and never 
touched it again. 

Every pound of tobacco contains three hun 
dred and twenty grains of this poison called 
nicotine. One grain of it would kill a large dog 
in about three minutes. 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 15 

A man once took a needle and thread that had 
been dipped in the poison, and ran it through 
the skin of a frog. In a few moments the frog 
was dead. It acted like a drunken person, vom- 
ited, hopped about as fast as possible, and then, 
lying down, twitched awfully for a moment. 
Then it became insensible and soon was dead. 

Many people become insane just through the 
use of tobacco, but it is little wonder when we 
understand how much poison it contains. 

We should pity the boys more than blame 
them, for when they are not warned in time 
this poison gets into their system and it is no 
easy thing for them tc stop the use of it, no 
matter how much they may wish to. 

John was determined to become a man as 
soon as possible, so he kept on smoking and try- 
ing to accustom himself to the horrid tobacco as 
fast as possible. 

One time when John’s father came to see him 
he thought he could smell tobacco about his 
boy’s clothes and felt that it would be best to 
talk to him. 

He knew that John had many temptations 


16 


How John Became a Man. 


and just how to advise him he hardly knew. 
How much he loved and pitied his poor little 
motherless hoy! He conld not point out him- 
self as an example, for he was a slave to to- 
bacco. 

Calling his son to one side he said, “John, T 
must have a talk with you. Now the tobacco 
habit is a very bad one. It ruins many a life. 
I am not going to say you can not use tobacco, 
because I know if I do, you will get it some way 
if you want it. But I do say that if you do use 
it, you do it against my wishes.” 

John was greatly touched by his father’s 
words. But he was beginning to get a real 
appetite for the stuff, so he thought, “Well, 
I’ll just keep on, hut I won’t let Father know 
about it.” 

The boys all liked to chew more than to 
smoke, as they grew older, because they did 
not like to have other people know what they 
were doing. 

But the part that worried them was how to 
get their tobacco. It was not so hard at first, 
but every little while they had to increase the 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 17 

quantity. They had heard about burglars and 
stealing and now they thought this would be a 
good way to get their tobacco. 

Poor little John! How sad to think that he 
should go so deep into sin without a mother’s 
care or advice. 

His aunt was a good woman, but she did not 
feel the necessity of watching her own boys, 
and how could she care for John? She told 
them not to steal or tell lies and gave them much 
good advice, but she did not realize the great 
need of winning their confidence and love so 
that they would confide in her. 

Her husband was very stern when he knew of 
mischief of any kind that had been done, but 
he did not take the time or trouble of inquiring 
into things. 

Thus left to themselves the boys went deeper 
and deeper into sin. They decided to keep close 
watch and avail themselves of every opportun- 
ity to procure tobacco, even if it was necessary 
to steal it. There was nothing but tobacco that 
they wanted to steal, but they must have that. 

They would often see some one working hard 


18 


How John Became a Man. 


at some kind of work. Walking np to the man 
they would say, “If you will give us each a 
chew of tobacco we will do that work for you. ’ ’ 
The man feeling thankful for the help would 
gladly hand them his plug of tobacco— when 
they were through with the work— that they 
might each take a bite. 

The boys would each take as large a bite as 
they possibly could and, returning what was 
left of the plug to the man, would hurry away. 
When out of the man’s sight they would take 
the piece from their mouths and bite off what 
they should have taken in the first place and 
still have a large piece left. 

Along with the filthy habit of tobacco chewing 
was another evil that had found its way into 
their lives. That was the deception they prac- 
tised and the many lies they were forced to tell 
in order to make everything appear all right to 
others. 

They did not mind telling lies, because they 
did not realize how very sinful it was and had 
never heard that God hates liars. He has said, 
“All liars shall have their part in the lake 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 19 

which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Rev. 

21 : 8 . 

Several times the boys had been quite suc- 
cessful in stealing tobacco, so they thought they 
would go farther. 

John’s uncle and aunt were in the habit of 
going to town about once in three weeks. At 
such times the hoys were left alone, and it 
afforded them an opportunity to do any mis- 
chief that they cared to do, with no one to 
molest them. 

Thus far they had been successful in getting 
small amounts of tobacco. Now they were be- 
coming a little more hold and fearless as the 
burglar fever grew upon them. Knowing that 
when they were alone was their best chance, 
they chose the next time their folks went to 
town. Then they planned to go a little farther 
with their stealing than ever before. 

The boys knew that a large amount of to- 
bacco was usually kept securely locked up in 
a big chest in the barn. Thus far they had 
always been afraid to try to get any from this 
source, but now they wero becoming bolder. 


20 


How John Became a Man. 


They talked the matter over several times 
wondering how they could get at the tobacco 
when they did not have a key. It seemed to be 
a hard matter to solve. 

At last John, who was now about six years 
old and who had been seriously thinking, spoke 
up and said, “Oh! I know how to get into the 
chest. 1 jet’s take the hinges and lock off. We 
can by unscrewing these screws that hold 
them.” “Yes, that’s just the thing, John,” 
said Will, “I’m so glad you thought of it. I 
don’t see why we didn’t think of that before. 
That will not be just breaking the lock, but it 
will be about as good and we won’t get caught 
at it so easily.” 

“Oh, and say. Will, if we just cut a small 
piece from each plug Uncle won’t be so apt to 
miss it,” said John. 

“That’s just the thing!” again exclaimed 
Will. “Wliy, John, do you know I think you 
will soon be a man? for you seem to know just 
how to do things. Tomorrow is the day for us 
to break into the chest, and we must know 
where the screw-driver is,” 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 21 

“Oil, I know,” said little Charley, “I’ll get 
that. ’ ’ 

It was quite a distance to town, and the 
boys were very eager to help all they could to 
get the folks started. A good many things 
seemed to go wrong, but at last all was ready 
and they were gone. 

The boys watched the wagon disappear down 
the road. Now they knew that they were alone 
and that this was their chance to carry out 
their plans. 

Hastening to the barn the three boys were 
soon kneeling upon the floor around the big 
chest. They were so eager to procure the to- 
bacco that they did not think of the great wrong 
they were doing in order to get it. 

If some one could have told them the history 
and downfall of thousands of other boys they 
would have been frightened and have ceased 
from their awful work at once. 

They did not realize that stealing little things 
would always lead to greater things, and they, 
like so many other boys and men, might be 
landed in prison. In such a place their lives 


22 


How John Became a Man. 


would be very miserable, for they, would not 
only have to work hard, but their food would 
be very poor. 

Every night they would have to be locked in 
an iron cell, with no friends to cheer them. 
Their only companions would be criminals and 
men of the very worst character. 

Prison life was unheard of to them, so their 
thoughts were not there just now. They were 
eager to get the tobacco, so worked away with 
the screw-driver. 

It did not take the boys long to break into 
the chest, take a thin slice from each piece of 
tobacco and then replace the lid. So they were 
encouraged to do more. 

They knew that upstairs was a trunk where 
two revolvers were kept. What fun it would 
be to break into that trunk and get those re- 
volvers out to look at! They decided to try it 
and again John suggested the way to open the 
trunk. 

“Just take a nail and see i^ you can’t turn 
it in the lock, ’ ’ he said to Will. The trunk was 
quite, old and the lock worked easily, so the boys 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 23 

soon had it open and there lay the revolvers be- 
fore them. 

John and Will each took one. John’s was an 
ordinary revolver, bnt Will’s was a double- 
action. He had not played with it long until he 
saw that there was one load in it. But thinking 
there was no danger he began to snap it at 
John. 

John knew about the load and said, “Will, 
don’t snap that at me; it might go off!” 

Will paid no attention, but kept on snapping 
the revolver. 

John was standing behind a barrel of carpet 
rags. He saw that his cousin did not heed his 
words, and, feeling somehow that he was in 
danger, he dodged down behind the barrel. 

Just as he did this the load went off and the 
bullet went into an old trunk just behind him. 

Will was very much frightened when he saw 
what might have happened had his cousin re- 
mained where he had been a moment before. 

In fact they all felt queer and said that it 
was time to put the revolvers away. This they 
did and ran down to attend to the cows. 


24 


Hoiv John Became a Man. 


Poor boys ! Wbat a pity that they could not 
realize that just now their conscience was try- 
ing to warn them of their danger in doing things 
that were wrong, such as stealing, deceiving, 
etc., and to incline their hearts in the right way ! 
God was speaking to them through their 
consciences and had they listened they would 
have been spared much trouble in the 
future. 

As it was, they tried to enjoy the tobacco that 
they had stolen and then, when it was gone, to 
plan how they could get some more. 

One day as they were walking along they saw 
a piece of tobacco that some one had spit out 
of his mouth. It was only partly chewed, but 
there it lay in the dirt and none of them knew 
in whose mouth it had been. 

At first they could not touch it and passed 
on, but oh, they did want some so much! At 
last Will said, “See here, boys, I believe I will 
get that piece and wash it good down here in 
the pond and it won’t be so bad.” Then he 
hurried back and got the nasty stutf. 

Chewing tobacco is certainly a filthy habit. 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 25 

The Bible says, “If any man defile the temple 
of God, him shall God destroy.” 

If only these boys could have understood 
what this meant. But no one around them knew 
what the Bible taught, for they would not read 
it. And nearly everybody used tobacco. No 
one was considered manly that did not use it. 

Surely the use of tobacco is an evil. God 
never intended it to go into the mouth of a man 
or woman, much less into the mouth of a child. 

There is a large green worm that eats the to- 
bacco plant and that grows fat upon it. It is 
food for this worm and God pronounced it very 
good in its place. It only becomes filthy and 
offensive when used by man and can not be 
termed food. 

But let us follow John. His father could see 
the evil surroundings of his child. And he was 
not getting any education. His father pitied 
him and began to make plans to send him to 
school. At the age of eight he was taken to 
live with his father, and started to school. 

The terms were very short— only three or 
four months in the winter— but John was very 


26 


How John Became a Man. 


practical and learned easily. His teachers all 
liked and pitied him and were anxious to do all 
they could to help him get an education. 

In return he tried not to be mischievous, al- 
though sometimes he would break the rules and 
have to be punished. But John tried to be a 
good boy in school. 

In some ways things were worse for John at 
his father’s than they had been at his uncle’s. 
His father had bachelor friends, many of whom 
took a great fancy to John. They thought he 
was so bright for his age and many things he 
had not learned at his uncle’s he learned from 
them. 

They told him that it was manly to drink 
beer. When he tasted it and said it was not 
good they told him he could learn to like it if 
he tried. So John cultivated an appetite for 
beer and could soon drink a large quantity. 

About this time John’s father began to pay 
attention to a young lady. John did not like to 
be left alone at night, so his father would prom- 
ise to be back early. But nine, ten and often 
eleven o’clock would come before his return. 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 27 

At first John could hardly stand it to be left 
all alone with no one to talk to and he often 
cried himself to sleep. But as it continued he 
became used to it and tried not to care. 

He had two little pet turkeys that his aunt 
had given him, and as they were about all the 
companions he had now he really loved them. 
They had one little place to roost that no one 
knew of but himself. He loved to pet and 
handle them, for somehow it made the hours 
move along faster. 

Oh, how often he thought now of his dear 
mother ! Sometimes he would get just as close 
to his father as he could (and his father was 
very kind), but, it was his mother’s tender love 
and touch that his heart was craving. 

He remembered every little kind word and 
look that his aunt had given him and wondered 
if it was like his mother’s would have been. 
His little heart was longing— longing— but he 
tried to be brave. 

One evening his father took him to the house 
of a bachelor friend to spend the evening. A 
number of other men were there, too, to spend 


28 


How John Became a Man. 


the time in card playing. The men were greatly 
interested in John. They taught him to play 
cards and gave him so much beer to drink that 
he could hardly keep awake. They were in the 
habit of letting the one who won the game of 
cards drink the beer or whiskey. The others 
could only smell the bottle. 

Sometimes smelling the bottle would not sat- 
isfy. At such times they would draw cuts to 
see who would go and steal some chickens to 
roast for the rest. 

John was very sleepy, but he heard them de- 
cide who should go that night. Then he heard 
something else— some one said, “Say, boys, 
those two turkeys of John’s would taste fine. 
Let’s get them.” 

John was just about to say something when 
he thought of their roosting place. He felt 
quite sure they could not find it, and so said 
nothing. 

But that they should think of taking his pets 
hurt him. Life had a hard and bitter side for 
John ; but he always tried to make the best of it. 

They stayed all night at the home of their 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 29 

friend, and in the morning when John awoke 
he thought about his turkeys. As soon as he 
could he hurried home and found that they 
were safe and waiting for their breakfast. 

After a while his father was married and now 
John was to have another experience. He won- 
dered if in any way his stepmother would he 
like the dear loving mother he had so often 
thought about. 

She was kind, but, like his aunt, she failed to 
win his confidence. Then his father did not 
have so much time to talk to him and he became 
more lonely. 

That winter John’s stepmother’s brother Ed 
came to live with them. It was too bad, for he 
was older and a far worse companion than his 
cousin Will had been. 

Ed’s father and mother had both used to- 
bacco a long time before he was born. And the 
appetite was in their child from the very first. 
He cried so much and nothing seemed to satisfj^ 
him. One day his mother tied some tobacco up 
in a rag and gave it to her baby. It was just 
what he wanted and he stopped crying at once, 


30 


How John Became a Man. 


There is a verse in the Bible that says God 
is abundant in goodness and truth, keeping 
mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and 
transgression and sin. But that he will by no 
means clear the guilty. For he visits the in- 
iquity of the fathers upon the children and up- 
on the children’s children, unto the third and 
to the fourth generation. 

Think of it ! Parents may be sorry for their 
sins, and be forgiven their transgressions, but 
their children must suffer and inherit appe- 
tites and diseases that are unnatural, even to the 
fourth generation. Oh what a responsibility is 
resting upon parents! 

As Ed grew his appetite for tobacco in- 
creased. He spent every cent he could get 
for tobacco and denied himself many of the 
necessary things of life that he should have 
had. 

At one time when he visited a neighboring 
town he stole a case of plug tobacco and 
brought it home. This supplied himself as well 
as John for quite a while. But it was gone too 
soon to suit them. 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 31 

John was about thirteen by this time. His 
stepmother and her people were all great 
people to dance, and they taught John. 

It did not take him long to learn, and he soon 
enjoyed it as well as any of them. There 
seemed to he something so fascinating about 
the dance. Then it seemed to help the aching 
place in his heart. 

Home was not home to him in its true sense. 
He was at an age when he was becoming reck- 
less. He hardly knew his own mind, hut he 
felt that if he could get away from home it 
might be better. None seemed to understand or 
love him as he thought they ought.. 

About this time his uncle and family came 
to spend the winter with them. The change 
pleased John in a way, for he could have Will 
for a companion again. 

The two hoys were glad to get together, and 
began at once to plan how to spend their even- 
ings. It was decided that they should sleep in 
the cellar, as the family was so large now. This 
gave them an opportunity to do just about as 
they pleased. 


32 


How John Became a Man. 


They had a good many talks about bygone 
days, and Will laughed about John’s great de- 
sire to become a man and wondered how he 
felt about it now. 

John answered that he was tired of home and 
was almost discouraged; that he had almost a 
mind to run away from home; and that if it 
wasn’t for his father he would. He said that 
he didn’t see that being a man was so wonder- 
ful, after all, for all the men he knew were so 
bad. 

Will didn’t have any sympathy to offer. So 
he proposed that they play cards when they 
had nothing else to do. 

But the next thing was, where could they get 
the cards? John, as usual, was the one to sug- 
gest a way. 

“Why, Will, we can make them. I’ll get 
some stiff cardboard and cut them out while you 
mark them. ’ ’ 

“That’s all right,” said Will, “hut we can’t 
work in the dark. Where can we get a light?” 

“Oh, that will be easy enough,” he said, “we 
can get some lard in a dish and put a rag in it 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 33 

to light. That won’t be a very good light, but 
it will answer.” 

The cards were soon done and many evening 
were spent in playing with them. They got so 
that they could play so well that neither one 
could beat unless they cheated. So they tried 
every way they could think of to get the best of 
each other. 

Then they began to bet. They would put up 
anything they could find as a reward. Thus 
they learned to gamble, and spent many of the 
winter evenings in this way and attending 
dances. 

Card playing is very dangerous for any one, 
and especially for children. They become so 
interested and carried away with the game that 
they soon lose all desire for good reading and 
for the things that would be a help to them. 
Just as John and Will were led to gamble, and 
cheat by playing cards, so will many others 
be inclined who waste their time in this way, 



Away from Home. 


^ When spring came John had his mind made 
up to leave home. Shortly after his uncle re- 
turned home he went to his father and told him 
that he was going. 

His father felt very bad and advised his boy 
to stay at home. “But,” said he, “if you are 
determined to go I will not hinder you. Only 
try and do as nearly right as you can.” 

John had commenced working out when about 
eleven years old, and in these two years he had 
become acquainted with a good many boys. 

Some of these hoys were very wild and rough 
and they filled John’s mind with a desire to do 
some great thing and become rich. He already 
had some great ambitions in this direction, hut 
had never been able to save any money. His 
tobacco cost so much and then his beer bills and 
even whiskey hills were growing. Altogether 
they amounted to many dollars a year. 

John had noticed that Ed had often drunk 

whiskey to satisfy the awful craving that the 
86 


36 


How John Became a Man. 


tobacco poison had created in his system. Then 
he had tried the same and it was becoming a 
necessity to him also, just as much as tobacco 
was and had been. 

What a pity it was that John did not stop 
and think that he could never become rich as 
long as he had all of these expenses to meet. 

It happened that one day the man for whom 
John worked sent him under the charge of an- 
other man to work for an old fanner. 

They went in time for breakfast, and when 
the meal was ended the farmer arose and said, 
“We always have reading immediately after 
breakfast and we like to have our help come 
in.” He then arose and went into another 
room. 

John was seized with a terrible fear. Until 
then he had never heard a prayer offered ex- 
cept the time his father prayed with him shortly 
after his mother’s death. 

He knew about the Bible, but all he had ever 
seen was a small testament of his mother’s. He 
had never read in it except once or twice when 
he was badly hurt. Some one said that the 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 37 

reading of a certain verse would cure the tooth- 
ache and another would stop the nosebleed. He 
had tried both of these. 

John thought he would not stay in for wor- 
ship and hurried out to the barn with the other 
man. 

When they were about to enter the barn the 
farmer called to them, saying, “We always like 
to have our help come in with us.” As the 
farmer returned into the house they saw that 
there was no other way ; so they came back and 
sat down with the family for worship. 

Then John really suffered. It was such a 
new experience for him and he did not know 
how to act. He watched the farmer’s children 
very closely that he might know just what to 
do, but he failed to hear anything that was read. 

WT^en the reading was over the farmer said, 
“Let us pray,” and all knelt down by their 
chairs but John, and he did not know what to 
do. 

After a few minutes he slipped down by his 
chair, too, but he felt ashamed. He could not 
listen to the prayer but he heard the words. 


38 


Bow John Became a Mart. 


‘ ‘ Dear Lord, bless the help today and keep them 
from accident and danger,” 

He glanced hurriedly around and saw the 
children peeping between their fingers, and he 
hastened to put his hands up to his face and 
gave a quick glance at Mr. A., his boss. 

He was kneeling at his chair, but was picking 
his teeth and looking out of the window. Just 
then the farmer said amen and they all arose. 

John was truly glad to get outside once more, 
but he kept thinking, ‘ ‘ Oh, what a dunce I made 
of myself ! Why didn ’t I act unconcerned, like 
Mr. A.?” 

Then the thought fiashed through his mind 
about the few words he had heard the farmer 
say, and he thought, “We surely will have a 
good day today.” 

Now John was not a bad boy naturally. He 
had never heard that there was a God in heaven 
or anything of the dear Savior’s love. He did 
not know what sin was, only in a very 
crude sense. So we can not wonder at his 
feelings. 

About the time that he was fourteen years 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 39 

old he became very much interested in becoming 
a showman. 

A show bad passed through that part of the 
country and he had attended. From that time 
he began to think how nice it would be to travel 
about with them and see the country. 

The appearance of the clown impressed him 
most and he often thought how nice it would 
be to be among them. 

For about a year he thought of little else, and, 
knowing that they were to return the following 
year, he decided to run away with them. 

He did as he had planned and went with the 
expectation of becoming very rich. He soon 
found that the life of a showman was anything 
but pleasant, and instead of becoming rich he 
lost what little money he had, and was taken 
very ill. 

Thoroughly disgusted with himself and his 
undertaking he returned as soon as he was able 
and was glad to be among his friends again. 

John would have been discouraged had he 
looked on the dark side of his life. As it was, 
he tried to look on the bright side of things. 




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Effects of Alcohol. 


Much of his time was now spent in card play- 
ing, dancing and anything to make the time 
pass pleasantly. Tobacco and whiskey were 
used freely and John was considered a good 
fellow by all who knew him. But it was all 
telling upon his health. He had a severe cough 
and was becoming stoop-shouldered. 

The boys only thought of the good feeling 
that the liquor caused in their system. The 
alcohol in it, like the nicotine in tobacco, was 
an unknown evil and poison, working daily 
through their bodies. Neither could it ever be 
termed a food. 

Many doctors have written about the influ- 
ence of alcohol upon the system and we will 
give a few of their statements: 

“Alcohol is a stimulant and narcotic. As a 
stimulant it excites the brain and nerves, in- 
creases the circulation of the blood, and in- 
toxicates (makes drunk) ; while as a narcotic 

it blunts the powers of the brain and nerves 
41 


42 Jlow John Became a Mem. 

and produces stupor and death. Since alcohol 
contains no nitrogen, it lacks one of the ele- 
ments of food, and consequently will : ot sustain 
life. Alcohol has no iron nor salts for the 
blood; no gluten, phosphorus, nor lime for the 
bones; and no albumen, or substance which is 
the basis of every living organism. Hence it 
can not be termed a food. Tests in the army, 
navy, and Arctic explorations have definitely 
proved the above position. Neither will alcohol 
allay thirst, and for the following reason: Al- 
cohol has a great attraction for water, and when 
swallowed draws the water to itself, thus de- 
priving the tissues of the body of that most 
necessary inorganic food. Again, alcohol 
causes a rush of blood to the skin, which causes 
a sensation of warmth to be felt upon the sur- 
face of the body. However, the sensation of 
heat is, like beauty, ‘only skin deep,’ as the heat 
of the system has really been diminished rather 
than increased ; because when the blood is upon 
the surface, it parts with its heat more readily. ’ ’ 
“The effects of alcohol upon the heart may 
be summed up in the following statements : 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 43 

“ (a) It causes a softening of the muscles of 
the heart, and a fatty degeneration, thus clog- 
ging the workings of this vital organ. 

“(b) It overworks the heart. 

“(c) Oftentimes it renders the heart weak 
and flabby. 

“(d) It causes an enlargement or dilation of 
its parts. 

“(e) There is a consequent effect of drowsi- 
ness and lassitude. 

“(f) Its general effect upon the heart is to 
destroy its strength and usefulness.” 

“Alcohol has the following effects upon the 
lungs : 

‘ ‘ (a) It makes the blood impure, thus increas- 
ing the work of the lungs. 

“(b) It paralyzes the blood vessels. 

‘ ‘ (c) It weakens the various lung tissues. 

“(d) It vitiates the breath.” 

“Alcohol’s effects upon the stomach; 

“(a) Produces chronic inflammation of the 
stomach. 

“(b) Injures the mucous lining by harden- 
ing the tissues. 


44 


Hotc John Beccme a Jfoa. 


“(c) It destroys some of the smaL £L£r>55 
and impairs others. 

“ (d) It precipitates the p»epsin of the gastrie 
jtdce, thus retarding digestion. 

“(e) It thickens the mnens of the stonai^ 
“(f) The action of the stomach is at £rs: 
quickened by the presence of alcohol, and tier 
retarded.” 

‘ ‘ The effects of alcohol upon the liver may te - 
“ (a) It produces a hardened condition of its 
tissues. 

“(b) Enlaig^es the oigan. 

“(c) Compresses and lessens the cells fox 
producing bile. 

“(d) Stimulates the liver to overaction, tins 
reducing the bile supply. 

“(e) It weakens and destroys the nsefrlness 
of this organ of digestion.” 

“Effect of alcohol upon the blood and hlooi 
vessels : 

“(a) It thins and eoagniates the blood ac- 
cording to the amonnt of alcohol 

“(b) It hastens the cdrenlation. thus weaken- 
ing it 

“(c) It prevents combustion. 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 45 

“(d) It impairs and destroys the corpuscles, 
thus affecting their powers of transporting 
oxygen and carbonic acid gas. 

“(e) It weakens the arterial muscles by af- 
fecting the nerves governing them.” 

‘ ‘ Effects of alcohol upon the brain and nerves 
are : 

“ (a) It causes apoplexy and epilepsy by con- 
fusing the brain. 

“(b) It weakens the will and deadens the 
feelings. 

“(c) It hardens the brain tissues, producing 
dullness, insensibility, and insanity. 

“ (d) It destroys the nerve fiber of the brain. 

“(e) It temporarily stimulates and finally 
depresses this organ. 

“(f) It will at last destroy man, body and 
soul.” 

“Alcohol leads every other drug in its far- 
reaching influence for mischief and evil. Were 
the thousands of ruined homes, the untold num- 
bers of blasted lives, the sorrows, the sins, 
numberless crimes, murders, and deaths brought 
in panoramic review before us, what a hell-born 
picture it would he. ’ ’ 


46 


How John Became a Man. 


“The effect of alcohol upon the morals is 
awful. All delicacy, courtesy, and self-respect 
are gone ; the sense of justice and right is faint 
or quite extinct; There is no vice into which 
the victim of drunkenness does not easily slide ; 
and no crime from which he can be expected to 
refrain. Between this condition and insanity 
there is but a single step.” 


A Great Change. 

Now we are coming to the beautiful part of 
John’s life— to the time when he became a man. 

At the age of eighteen he had almost come to 
the point of discouragement. His health was 
becoming so poor that the future did not seem 
very promising, yet it was to be the brightest 
and happiest time of his life. 

You will remember that John did not know 
anything about the goodness of the Lord, and 
you will also recall what an opinion he had 
formed of those who professed to be religious. 

One evening he heard that two women were 
to hold a series of meetings in their part of the 
country, and instantly he was seized with a 
strong desire to go. 

Being a sort of leader among his associates 
he soon found several boys willing to go with 
hiin. Their motive for going was simply to 
have a good time. 

On the appointed evening they were there 

§arly and found seats as far baclr .as possible, 
• ■ 


48 


How John Became a Man. 


that they might not attract too much attention. 
Everything was so strangely new to them all 
that they looked on in wonder. 

The meeting was opened with some touching 
songs. Then one of the ladies prayed. And 
such a prayer! John thought surely that wo- 
man has a sound mind. Then followed another 
prayer in a sweet clear voice, and oh, such 
tender loving words ! 

When they arose from prayer they sang an- 
other song and then began the preaching. The 
sermon was taken from the 24th chapter of 
Matthew and as the truth poured forth John 
sat spellbound. 

After the sermon the young girl arose who 
had offered the second prayer and told how God 
had won her by his Spirit and how he had satis- 
fied every longing of her heart. How by his 
grace she was able to live a life that was pure 
and spotless, and how there had been prepared 
for her a home in heaven. 

And she said it was possible for every one to 
be just as happy as she was and to have the 
same kind of an experience. 

John heard every word, and he thought, “I 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 49 

would give anything in the world if I could he 
like those women and have such a testimony.” 
He then thought of his companions and dared 
not look at them for fear they might notice the 
moisture in his eyes. Conviction of his sins 
was fastening itself upon his heart. 

Then the meeting closed with the anouncement 
that the meetings would continue for about 
three weeks, and an urgent invitation was given 
to all who cared to come. John decided at once 
that- he would come to every one. 

He had very little to say on the way home, 
for he could not get the events of the evening 
out of his mind. He remembered the chapter 
that the lady had read and as soon as he was 
home he hunted up his mother’s testament and 
read it. One verse was deeply impressed upon 
his mind. It read like this: “Therefore be ye 
also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not 
the Son of man cometh.” 

All his past life came up before him. Oh, 
how he wished he had known before that he was 
doing wrong and wasting his life ! He had not 
meant to be wicked, for no one had taught him 
any better. 


50 


How John Became a Man. 


He reached in his pocket to get a chew cf 
tobacco. Suddenly it became disgusting to him. 
He had heard once that it was a filthy habit and 
it surely was. Why had he wasted so much 
time and money for it! He never would taste 
the horrid stuff again. 

Then he thought of the whiskey that he had 
drunk. A few scenes came to his mind, when 
he had been under its influence and he shud- 
dered. Never again would he touch that. In 
fact, John laid awake the greater part of the 
night thinking and wondering about what he 
had seen and heard. 

He could hardly wait until the next night 
came when he could go and hear more of this 
beautiful story. And night after night he went, 
each time seeing himself more sinful and always 
deciding to never repeat any of his past 
sins. 

He had decided that this was the right way to 
live and that he could be as happy as those wo- 
men TPere. So with all his heart he cried to 
God for help to live right. Oh ! he was so sorry 
that he had done so many things that looked so 
dreadful to him now. 



i 


■ \ 



t 


y 


# 





Cj 


SOD HOUSE NEAR JOHN^S HOME. 



























Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 53 

The life of a Christian was preached to the 
people night after night for nearly two weeks, 
but no invitation was yet given to seek and 
obtain it. 

By this time John had fully made up his 
mind that he was going to live a different life. 
That he was going to be a man like the one God 
had created in the beginning— pure and holy. 
He understood that it was possible, and he 
longed for the time when they would ask him 
to come and get saved from his sins and would 
tell him how. 

At last the time came. There was a long 
bench set out in front of the congregation. This 
they called an altar and said that any who 
wanted to serve the Lord might come forward. 

John was all ready and longed to go, but he 
did not know what to do, whether to sit upon 
die altar or kneel down beside it ; so he thought 
he would wait and see what the others did. 

He did not have to wait long, for a girl in 
.front of him went forward and knelt down. 
That was all he wanted to know and he hurried 
forward, too. Soon some of the boys who were 
with him followed his example and there were 


54 


Row John Became a Mem. 


a number of anxious seeking souls at the altar 
that night. 

The invitation being over, the ministers knelt 
down at the altar and thanked God for his 
tender mercy that had been extended to a lost 
world and prayed that those at the altar might 
understand what true salvation was. 

Then they carefully explained to each one 
what it meant to be redeemed from all sin, and 
how God looked upon the sin-cursed world so 
full of awful wickedness, and that he was so 
moved with tender love and compassion that he 
sacrificed the brightest gem of glory— even his 
only begotten Son— as a Redeemer for all who 
would believe on him and turn from their 
sins. 

It was indeed a great price, but in this way 
he could prove his great love for mankind. The 
words were quoted, “For God so loved the 
world that he gave his only begotten Son, that 
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 
but have everlasting life. For God sent not 
his Son into the world to condemn the world; 
but that the world through him might be saved. ’ ’ 
John 3: 16, 17. Also, “The Son of man came 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 55 

to seek and to save that which was lost. ’ ’ Luke 
19 : 10. 

Oh, how sweet those words sounded to John I 
h’ully awakened to his awful condition he was 
longing to know the way of deliverance. 

One by one he recalled his past sins. Smok- 
ing and chewing tobacco, drinking beer and 
whiskey, stealing, lying, card playing, betting, 
gambling and many other things were bidden 
adieu forever. But one thing came to his mind 
that it seemed hard to give up— that was danc- 
ing. 

He could not see that it was wrong to dance. 
He had taken so much pleasure in it, but if it 
was wrong he would give that up, too. 

Very carefully it was then explained to him 
that it atforded pleasure for a season but that 
many harmful etfects were sure to follow. 

Some of the evils that are brought about by 
dancing were explained and John was surprised 
to know some things that it led to. He had al- 
ways danced only for the mere pleasure of 
dancing, but he saw from what they said that it 
led to many evil practices. It was the means 
of many temptations to both boys and girls and 


56 


How John Became a Man. 


often led to the loss of virtue. Another thing 
that he knew was true from experience was 
the effect it had upon the health. He could 
see that his poor health was due in many ways 
to dancing and late hours. 

When John saw the evils connected with it, 
he was not long in placing it among the things 
he was giving up and by God’s grace he de- 
cided never to dance again. 

It was sweet to see John’s simple faith after 
he had asked God to pardon all of his transgres- 
sions. He received a clear witness of his ac- 
ceptance and was truly happy. He felt the 
deep, aching void within his heart fast being 
filled with the dear Savior’s love. 

Prom that time all could see that John’s life 
was changed. The things he once loved he now 
took no part in. He was a new creature in 
Christ Jesus. 

His companions who had gone to the altar 
with him went away rejoicing in the Lord and 
many others were saved from their sins during 
the remainder af the meeting. 

John found that he had many wrongs to make 
right. But he gladly did this.j Many confessed 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 57 

when he came to them for forgiveness that they 
would be glad to have an experience like his. 

As they looked at John now they wondered 
how it was that such a change could come over 
any one who had done so many wicked things. 
It was strange, but with God all things are pos- 
sible. 

By J ohn ’s life we can see how much depends 
upon children’s being rightly instructed while 
they are young. Many of the awful deeds that 
John committed willingly and in many in- 
stances planned, would never have even temp- 
ted him had he been taught aright, for he would 
have realized their dreadful nature and not al- 
lowed his mind to dwell upon them. 

How well it was for him that he found out 
that he was a miserable sinner in God’s sight 
and that he must forsake all of his evil ways 
and habits, and that he was willing to ask God 
to release him from the binding chains that 
Satan had bound about him. 

Each sinful habit that he had formed had 
been a chain from which nothing but the power 
of God could release him. 

Many people who give themselves over to 


58 


How John Became a Mem. 


allow Satan’s chains to bind them are not able 
or willing to be released. Such persons will not 
only live a life of sorrow here, but will spend 
eternity in suffering and torment. 

When the meetings were ended life seemed so 
different. He could say with the poet, 

•‘Life is real! life is earnest! 

And the grave is not its goal; 

Dust thou art, to dust returnest, 

Was not spoken of the soul/^ 

Every spare moment was spent in reading 
and studying God’s Word. He soon procured 
a Bible for himself. 

One day as he was reading in the 10th chap- 
ter of St. Mark his eyes rested upon the 14th 
and 15th verses, and he was surprised to see 
that instead of being a man he was only a little 
child in God’s sight. What did it mean? He 
had expected to be a man, pure and holy, and 
had meant to live so that all might esteem him 
as a man of God. 

Another time he read where Jesus thanked 
God that he had hidden his truth from the wise 
and prudent and had revealed it unto babes. 
He saw that his past life was wasted entirely. 
He must now commence anew. 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 59 

This did not discourage him in the least, for 
he soon found many encouraging scriptures. 
The second chapter of Peter was especially a 
great help to him. In the second verse he found 
that his food was to be God’s Word. 

Another verse that made a deep impression 
upon his mind he found in 1 Cor. 13 : 11. It 
read, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, 
I understood as a child, I thought as a child: 
but when I became a man, I put away childish 
things. ’ ’ 

He determined to become a man just as soon 
as possible. He availed himself of every oppor- 
tunity to do good to all mankind. This was no 
hardship, for John longed to do good and he 
saw many around him daily who were sadly in 
need of help. 

John was now learning many things. He 
found by reading 1 Cor. 12th chapter that 
Christian people represented Christ’s spiritual 
body here upon earth. 

In Christ’s natural body had been many mem- 
bers— hands, feet, eyes, ears, etc.— each doing 
a special, but different work. In the spiritual 
body these members were to carry on Christ’s 


60 


How John Became a Man. 


work below while he went above to prepare for 
their hereafter. 

The members could not all do the same kind 
of work in Christ’s natural body; that is, his 
hands could not walk nor his ears see; just 
so the members in his spiritual body must do 
different classes of work. Some members were 
called to preach, some to teach, some to work 
miracles, and some to heal, and some to do other 
things ; but they all worked together and in har- 
mony because Christ was their head and di- 
rected them in every line of work. And God 
arranged every member in the body just as it 
pleased him. 

None were to feel exalted or think they were 
more highly favored because they all drew their 
strength from the same source, Christ ; and if 
one member suffered each other member would 
suffer with it. 

John realized that he was now a member in 
Christ’s body or church and he wanted to fill 
his office well. From the first he seemed to be 
called to teach others the way of salvation and 
about the goodness of the Lord. 

A Sunday-school was started and he took his 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 61 

place as a teacher of the infant class. But as 
he continued to read his Bible God unfolded 
so many things to him that he was often called 
upon to teach the Bible class. 

At one time while reading in his Bible he 
chanced to turn to the 5th chapter of James. 
There in the 15th verse he read that “the 
prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord 
shall raise him up.” 

This was true because God’s word said so. 
but did it mean him? Yes, it must, for in an- 
other verse he read, “Is any among you af- 
flicted? let him pray.” It surely must mean 
him and he was certainly afflicted. His back 
pained him most of the time now. 

He began to pray for his healing, for he felt 
that God’s word was true. His healing was 
truly wonderful., God not only removed, all pain 
from his back, but healed his lungs and made 
him straight and strong and he could say with 
the Psalmist, “Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and 
forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all 
thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” 

Oh, how good tlie dear Lord had been to him! 
He never could cease praising him. 


62 


How John Became a Mem. 


One day the old farmer for whom John had 
worked and in whose home he had first attended 
family worship sent for him to come and make 
him a visit. He wanted to have a little talk, as 
he had heard of John’s wonderful conversion 
and of how earnest he was to help others. 

John remembered with what fear and trem- 
bling he had left this house a few years before, 
but things were so different now. He was glad 
to tell any and all who would listen to him of 
his new life. 

He told the whole story of his Christian ex 
perience, of how he had been convicted of his 
sins and then wonderfully delivered from them 
when he sought pardon ; and also of the peace 
and joy he now had in the service of the Lord. 
It was an easy story for John to tell, and he 
soon saw that his listener was greatly interested 
in knowing what a wonderful change had taken 
place in his life. 

The farmer rejoiced with him and urged him 
to become a minister, but John had already felt 
his calling on this line and was just waiting for 
the Lord to have his way with him. 

At last John developed into a true-hearted 


Life Story of a Motherless Boy. 63 

and noble man of God. He had the desire of 
his heart. He had no other motive in living 
only to please God who had done so much for 
him and who had enabled him to develop into 
the kind of a man he desired to be. 

He gave his time entirely to the Lord’s work 
and all who knew him could plainly see that 
he was what he had longed to be and what he 
had theretofore failed to be— a true man. 


NOV 29 190f 


Conclusion. 

In conclusion we may draw from John’s life 
the fact that he could not become a man by 
indulging in evil habits. But as soon as he 
forsook these, the noble part of his character 
began to show itself and true manhood was de- 
veloped. 

Boys do not have to wait until they are grown 
to show forth a manly character. They can 
commence while they are very small and he real 
men by the good deeds they do and the way in 
which they shun evil company and temptation. 

Some do this in their own strength, but it is 
a much better way to ask for God’s strength 
and grace to help them. In this way they may 
be a help to all around them as John is now 
since he is a man. 


64 


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